by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science And Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their political science and government graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find where political science and government graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose political science and government graduates go on to earn the most.
Whitworth University tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools in Washington. Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Spokane. Political Science And Government graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of about $72,166 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned it the #2 place for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus typically earn about $68,104 annually.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus typically earn about $68,104 annually.
A rank of #4 makes Seattle University one of the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Seattle University typically earn about $64,112 annually.
Washington State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in political science and government, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Washington State University typically earn about $61,086 annually.
Central Washington University earned the #6 position for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Central Washington University earn a median of about $61,390 a year early in their careers.
Gonzaga University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of about $71,779 a year early in their careers.
University Of Puget Sound landed the #8 spot for political science and government salaries this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound typically earn about $57,451 annually.
Pacific Lutheran University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, political science and government degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University typically earn about $41,518 annually.
Eastern Washington University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying political science and government schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of about $52,525 a year early in their careers.
Seattle Pacific University came in at #11 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the political science and government program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,066.
Western Washington University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for political science and government. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a public institution. Early-career political science and government graduates from Western Washington University make a median of around $56,069 per year.
Whitman College came in at #13 for political science and government graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a private not-for-profit institution. Political Science And Government graduates of Whitman College earn a median of about $50,141 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries political science and government graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 13 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.